EMDEN
-- Combine veterans, parents, teachers and schoolchildren with
patriotic music, tangible actions and expressions of appreciation,
stories of service, and what do you get?

A great
"love of country and community" being passed from generation to
generation.

On
Friday afternoon, Emden's retiring fourth-grade teacher, Mrs.
Marilyn Willmert, brought kindergarten through sixth-grade students
and veterans together for a stirring afternoon of admiration and
appreciation. The public was invited as well.

This
was the seventh veteran recognition event hosted by Mrs. Willmert
and her fourth-grade class.

The
program included the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem,
students singing "Proud to Be an American" and other songs, special
speakers, veteran recognitions, presentation of a "Wall of Honor,"
and check presentations.

Pictures by Karen Hargis

Mrs. Willmert, Mr. and Mrs. C. Wayne Schrader,
and the district principal, Mr.
Wisniewski, stand in front of the "Wall of Honor."

Color guard gets ready to enter the gym.

To begin the program, young and old alike stand and pledge
allegiance to the flag.

Mrs. Nowatney, assistant librarian in the
school district, was a psychological
operations specialist in the Army and spent time in language
school learning
Turkish. She spoke and led the children in a fun Army song.

David Last, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot and
son of Emden school's "Grandma
Doris," served in the Air Force and now is the safety officer for the
Illinois National Guard. He spoke about his time in Iraq.

Wayne Schrader accepts a check from the school
on behalf of the Danville
Veterans Hospital.